rip 1 of 3

1
as in to tear
to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it the dog ripped the sleeve of my shirt by grabbing it with his teeth

Synonyms & Similar Words

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rip

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noun (1)

rip

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noun (2)

Synonym Chooser

How is the word rip different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of rip are cleave, rend, rive, split, and tear. While all these words mean "to separate forcibly," rip implies a pulling apart in one rapid uninterrupted motion often along a line or joint.

ripped the shirt on a nail

When might cleave be a better fit than rip?

The synonyms cleave and rip are sometimes interchangeable, but cleave implies very forceful splitting or cutting with a blow.

a bolt of lightning cleaved the giant oak

When can rend be used instead of rip?

While the synonyms rend and rip are close in meaning, rend implies very violent or ruthless severing or sundering.

an angry mob rent the prisoner's clothes

When could rive be used to replace rip?

Although the words rive and rip have much in common, rive occurs most often in figurative use.

a political party riven by conflict

In what contexts can split take the place of rip?

While in some cases nearly identical to rip, split implies a cutting or breaking apart in a continuous, straight, and usually lengthwise direction or in the direction of grain or layers.

split logs for firewood

Where would tear be a reasonable alternative to rip?

In some situations, the words tear and rip are roughly equivalent. However, tear implies pulling apart by force and leaving jagged edges.

tear up the letter

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rip
Verb
Harris rips her successor for violating every rule of security and protocol with the move. Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025 Even when Osborne dips into country or wraps with a hint of reggae, its songs rip – if only in the sense of ripping off a Band-Aid. Joe Lynch, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
The old turf was so tattered and torn that concrete was visible beneath some rips. Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025 China's government’s AI push, which was announced on Tuesday, has led to absolute rips in multiple semiconductor stocks, along with technology hardware and software. Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rip
Verb
  • The list of productive running backs who’ve returned from an Achilles tear — much less torn every lateral ligament in their knees multiple times — is miniscule.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The bullet tore through his neck, in front of thousands of people, including children.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The color was applied to the top of the nail as a French tip with an empty line slit through the middle.
    Essence, Essence, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The ensembles are not athleisure or business casual looks; these are stunts — all leather suits, Louis Vuitton T-shirts and dresses slit up the thighs.
    Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Heading into spring break this year, airlines were flying fewer seats than in the previous spring, and the downward trend continues.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Passengers wanting to fly the MJ500 regional aircraft will need some patience.
    Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • By Wednesday, Kimmel’s bosses at ABC—owned by Disney—decided to yank him without a definite return date.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Former Cincinnati Reds star Zack Cozart on Wednesday cheered Disney’s decision to yank comedian Jimmy Kimmel off the air after controversial comments about Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • There is nothing quite like the thrill of spotting a dorsal fin slicing through open water or watching a pod leap through the surf beside your boat.
    Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Radios, redundancy and backup tech After Helene’s chaos knocked out cell towers, sliced underground fiber lines and broke internet access, many counties were unable to reach residents or even each other.
    Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As Today points out, customers took to social media to ask for Starbucks to hurry up and get Apple Crisp drinks back on the seasonal menu.
    Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Foster’s hurried firing on Sunday morning comes after his hurried hiring in February 2024, his placement a band-aid one week after Chip Kelly bolted to be offensive coordinator at Ohio State.
    Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • On third-and-9 from the 50, Murray threw a contested pass that receiver Zay Jones couldn’t grab.
    The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Thomas grabbed her husband’s ashes and some cash before trying to rescue her German shepherd, Storm, her companion of more than six years.
    Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The president also is working to rebrand his signature new law, which delivered a slew of tax cuts and slashed programs such as Medicaid, and promote an aggressive tariff program that many voters view with skepticism.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Truss's reign was defined by two events—the death of Queen Elizabeth II and a tax slashing mini-budget which spooked the financial markets—triggering a loss of confidence from her own Conservative MPs and the collapse of her administration.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rip. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.

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